(Albuquerque, NM) Monday, February 25, 2013 - ReelzChannel - TV About Movies(R) today announced the premiere for the four and a half hour miniseries Barabbas, starring Billy Zane. Inspired by the novel of the same name from Nobel Prize in Literature winning author Par Lagerkvist, Barabbas is a story rooted in the Bible about the man whose life was spared because of the death of Jesus Christ. Shot on location in Tunisia, this sweeping epic is an ultimate story of redemption that picks up where the Bible left off. Barabbas was directed by Emmy Award(R) winner and nominee Roger Young and is produced by Compagnia Leone Cinematografica. On Monday, March 25 part 1 premieres at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT and 11:30pm ET/ 8:30pm PT. On Tuesday, March 26 part 2 premieres at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT and 11pm ET/ 8pm PT.

"We're excited to show our viewers this incredible miniseries led by star Billy Zane in which author Par Lagerkvist's powerful story of Barabbas comes to life through the vision of director Roger Young," said Stan E. Hubbard CEO of ReelzChannel. "Surrounding the Barabbas Easter television event, we'll implement our TV About Movies(R) approach to explore the fascination with biblical stories portrayed on the big screen, including the proliferation of bible-themed movies coming to theaters such as Noah."

"I was drawn to this story because it revolves around a character who asks the questions that all of us ask. Who was Jesus? Was he really the son of God? Why did he die? Why should I believe? Why did he die in my place?," said director Roger Young. "But Barabbas was able to ask the questions of the people who were closest to Jesus: Mary, Lazarus, Peter, Judas, Mark and Pilate. What answers did they give him? How did it change his life? This is the story of Barabbas. His doubts, his fears, his sins, his violence, his love."

Barabbas will receive the TV About Movies(R) treatment with themed programming surrounding the premiere to take viewers deep into the world of the four part miniseries. Reelz Specials will take viewers behind the scenes in Tunisia where Barabbas was made to show what star Billy Zane did to transform into Barabbas including his intense gladiator training and we'll take a look at the authentic costumes and production design from the award-winning production team. The Reelz Show will take viewers on location to Tunis, Tunisia with Zane as he tours the rustic sets and ancient ruins used during filming, and Zane shares his personal side revealing the one thing he does on every movie set. Plus, The Reelz Show will spotlight Zane's career on the big screen including his role in the blockbuster Titanic and we'll take a fun look back at "sword and sandal" epics like 300 and other on-screen Biblical tales from the classic The Ten Commandments to Steve Carell's modern-day comedic take on the story of Noah in Evan Almighty.

About Roger Young

Roger Young is one of the most honored directors of television movies and miniseries. Young won his first Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for the series Lou Grant-a directing effort which also earned him two consecutive Directors Guild of America Awards. Young won his third Directors Guild of America Award for Murder in Mississippi. He has also directed several critically acclaimed Emmy(R) Award winning and nominated television movies and miniseries including Bitter Harvest, The Siege at Ruby Ridge, Geronimo, Doublecrossed, and The Bourne Identity. Young's work has also shown him to be particularly drawn to projects that reflect important views on social, historical, religious or philosophical topics. His interest in telling the stories of characters from the Bible has led to directing six biblical epics including Jesus, St. Paul, Moses, Solomon, Joseph and now Barabbas. Jesus and Joseph were both nominated for Outstanding Miniseries Emmy(R) Awards with Joseph winning Outstanding Miniseries and star Ben Kingsley earning a supporting actor Emmy(R) Award nomination.

About ReelzChannel

ReelzChannel-TV About Movies(R) is the only cable and satellite network devoted to delivering entertaining and fresh programming that explores, uncovers and lives inside the magic of Hollywood. The network is also home to ambitious television events, miniseries and series featuring big stories and big stars as seen with the Emmy(R)-winning The Kennedys, Ken Follett's World Without End and the upcoming premiere of the miniseries Barabbas, starring Billy Zane. And, building directly on The Kennedys, Reelz is co-developing a miniseries based on J. Randy Taraborrelli's highly acclaimed book, After Camelot: A Personal History of the Kennedy Family from 1968 to the Present, with Muse Entertainment slated to premiere in late 2014. With shows featuring movie and entertainment experts, including Leonard Maltin, Richard Roeper and Sam Rubin, viewers get trusted insight into movies wherever they're playing, whether in theaters or at home.
ReelzChannel reaches more than 64 million homes on DIRECTV channel 238, Dish Network channel 299, Verizon FiOS TV channel 233, AT&T U-verse channels 799/1799HD and cable systems nationwide. Find ReelzChannel in your area by entering your zip code at www.Reelz.com/watch. Owned by Hubbard Media Group, ReelzChannel is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM with national ad sales based out of New York City with offices in Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles and an entertainment bureau in Los Angeles.